Your contributions = A Piece of the Puzzle: Playing your part in the Big Picture

Reflections from last weekend's Twins of Faith 2012 -

"What difference can i make? I am only one person?"

Many of us underestimate the potential of our contributions and the true goodness it can bring.

As the saying goes, "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts", and Alhamdulillah - all praise and thanks to Allah - i witnessed and experienced this myself first hand last weekend, with the successful event that was Twins of Faith 2012 (29-30 December 2012).

This year I played a much smaller role than in 2011 - but interestingly, being closer on the ground, as part of the guys "behind the scenes", it actually gave me a better perspective of the big picture.

I am reminded of what Shaykh Yahya Ibrahim reminded us during Twins of Faith 2011 postmortem last year:

"When it comes to events like this, a lot of people make the mistake of thinking that the event is thanks to the Speakers who motivated the audience.

When in reality, all we do is just come onstage and talk.

But those hundreds of brothers and sisters who worked behind the scenes to make this happen - to ready the hall, the audio, the seats, ready the speakers, the tickets, the registration - they're the ones that made it happen for us."

It was definitely a motivating statement, but it didn't really hit me at first.. until I felt it last weekend.

Amidst the running up and down coordinating the stage events...
chasing the hospitality team to get the next speaker/performer ready, setting the timer for the next slot , giving constant timekeeping reminders, briefing the MCs on any scheduled announcements, setting up the microphones, modifying stage settings, greeting and briefing each speaker and performer, being at the centre of what was happening onstage..

subhanAllah it was a truly exhilarating experience!

And yet, I could have never been able to do those tasks without all those amazing hardworking and dedicated individuals who helped put the stuff ready for me to manage the stage – and I don’t even know most of their names.

But you know what, I just realized that better yet, at the end of the day, probably no one in the thousands of audience will ever know any of us or what we did for the entire event. 

Amazing!! I love it !

I realized a profound lesson behind all this : behind every achievement, in fact behind every success, behind every icon and role model who drive themselves to success, there were always people - largely unknown to others - who were the drivers to these achievements: people who helped & assisted them, who taught and mentored them, who comforted them, who made things easy for them, or even as simple as people who made sure they always had breakfast so that they were always ready to change the world.

And yet, mankind at large will perhaps never know who they are.

But Allah does. And the angels do. And every single bit of goodness achieved by these achievements are recorded clearly without fail.

And they marked their legacy. Their footprints in this dunya.

Think about it: Do we realize the role of the mother in being the sole person to raise and nurture some of the greatest scholars – orphaned at youth – but nurtured so well that they managed changed the nation: such as, Imam Ash-Shafi'ee, al-Bukhari and Malik ibn Anas?

Or even those thousands/millions of narrators of hadith who narrated hadith but perhaps more than 95% of the ummah don't even know their names - but in fact are responsible for authentically transmitting all the 30,000+ hadith we have today?

Or those Arab traders who had such beautiful akhlaq (good character) that caused the whole of the Malaysian and Indonesian region of people to be so attracted to the beauty of their manners, to the point where the huge majority of them embraced Islam (in fact, Indonesia today being the largest Muslim country)? Do we even know a single name amongst these traders?

No, the huge majority of mankind will ever know them. And yet Allah and His angels record every single atom’s weight of their contributions, and record the magnitude of the goodness that they have brought to mankind at large.

It all comes down to this:

Our role is to contribute to the big picture of His Deen, in our own individual capacities, matched to our own individual talents, competencies and abilities. We don’t all have to be leaders or scholars to make a massive positive impact to the ummah – we are all a piece of the puzzle: so make it a beautiful piece.
 

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasalam) truly appreciated the efforts of an old dark-skinned woman who voluntarily swept the masjid, and he insisted to pray janazah on her when she passed away – in fact rebuked the companions for not informing him about her death (Narrated in Bukhari & Muslim). Why did he care so much for her? I mean, “it’s just a simple task of sweeping the mosque”, right?

Think about it: She wasn’t a great companion scholar who had the knowledge and ability to teach others; she didn’t have children to nurture to become great leaders; she didn’t have the strength to assist the efforts in war – but she did what she could in her own capacity: make the masjid a clean and comfortable environment so that the Prophet and companions would be able to pray with better tranquillity and peace of mind, 5 times a day every day.

And for that, she earned the honour of being given a janazah prayer by the Prophet himself – the best of creation. And on top of that, Allah preserved her deeds in hadith until this very day, in Recognition of her deeds. So that we can be inspired by this great legacy – the greatest of intentions with the smallest of means. 

And yet we don’t even know her name!! AMAZING!

So that’s how we should aim for in our deeds; as part of something greater. And in our own individual missions, strive to achieve the BEST in it. The Prophet said –

“Verily, Allah has enjoined excellence (Ihsan) with regard to everything….

… So, when you slaughter, slaughter with Ihsan” (Muslim)

imagine, the Prophet went to the extent to say that even a short and straightforward deed such as slaughtering an animal (which typically takes approximately 2 to 10 seconds), you should do it with excellence (Ihsan). What more about other deeds of good that you do for the sake of Allah?  

Have we ever wondered about the massive potential our small deeds can do to others?

The Prophet said  “Do not belittle (consider insignificant) any good deeds, even if it is to meet your brother with a cheerful face” (Muslim)

Why? Because you never know what good that small deed can do. You never know what sort of barakah (blessings) that Allah can place in your deeds as a result of your sincerity and keen-ness to seek His Pleasure. Perhaps what you do may not have an effect now, but somewhere down the road, it might trigger another person who was affected by your deed, to inspire him/her to make a small move, to change for the better. And perhaps that person might be the great mujaddid of this age of the ummah – and it all began with a cheerful face!

Or perhaps our deed collaborates with others who also do the deed and in the end has a massive effect on others. Imagine – for example, in Twins of Faith – if all the volunteers were smiling and giving salams to all guests in the event, and a non-Muslim or a not-so-practicing Muslim would observe this super positive and happy environment. Imagine the potential wildfire effect this can bring!

Or think about this: You give some advice to person A, he doesn’t listen. Your friend also gives advice to person A, he still doesn’t listen. Suddenly after the 50^th person giving advice, person A starts to think “perhaps they are correct after all”. But if it was any less than 50, he probably wouldn't have made that first step to change. But thanks to our role in the 50, that drove him one ant-step closer. 

Our deeds can do wonders, but what wonders do happen, that’s not our job. That’s Allah’s job. Our job is to play our roles with Ihsan and to the best of our capacity.

We put in the effort, Allah puts in the Results – out of His Wisdom, Mercy and Knowledge.

Our role is to put our utmost sincerity, to have that intention in our hearts, that we’re contributing to the big picture towards the greater good - to be a functional cog in the great machinations of goodness. Our role is to then put our tawakkal in Allah, and believe in the words of Allah that NOTHING - that was done for His sake – will ever be lost. 

“.. Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him, and is patient, then surely, Allah shall never allow the reward of the Muhsinun (those who do good deeds with Ihsan) to be lost” (Surah Yusuf 12:90)

This is what we have as Muslims. We have a reward that we can look forward to – if not in this world, in the Akhirah. We live knowing that our deeds are acknowledged by one who is All-Appreciative, All-Rich and free of needs, All-Merciful and All-Just. We acknowledge that every effort, every drop of sweat, every ounce of difficulty in His Cause is a massive investment, not a sacrifice. The Prophet said:

"If any one of you beautifies (i.e. follows strictly, makes good) his Islamic religion then his good deeds will be rewarded ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed and a bad deed will be recorded as it is."  (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book #2, Hadith #40)

This is why we don’t burn out or get demotivated. This is why, when we strive for Ihsan, it doesn’t bother us that that people don’t know or acknowledge our deeds, that we don’t achieve good name or wealth by doing our deeds.

But of course, as a reminder to myself and to all out there, we should not let our guard down and allow shaytan to make us feel arrogant and proud of our deeds. Always maintain our ikhlas, be thankful to Allah that He allowed us to do any acts of good, and do not be complacent.

Let’s keep up the effort (in fact ramp in up a few notches higher), play our part in the big picture and succeed in the best way we can achieve as individuals. Because if we all do, we will contribute to a change the ummah. Allah says (meaning of which is):

“Verily, Allah will not change the state of the people until they change what is in themselves” (Ar-Ra’d 13:11)

So let’s put things in perspective in our daily lives. All the little things in your life, think BIG. You might be housewife, teacher in a small class, a student, a person working in the corporate environment, a janitor, a receptionist, business person at an online marketplace, or any other place at all – in all of these you have the opportunity to play your role towards the betterment of the ummah: have your aspirations, stay steadfast on it, and work towards it in your own capability. 

• “Just a housewife”? Well, be the “Khadijah” to the husband that will change the world! Be the Khadijah who nurtured Fatimah – who grew up to be the leader of the women in Jannah!
• "Just another worker in a boring corporate environment”? “Just another student”?  Be the role model Muslim of Ihsan in the environment you’re in! Be the one whom people can honestly say “when I see this person, I remember to remember Allah”. 
• "Just a teacher of a small class”? Perhaps one – or two – or three – or all of them – will be the next Salahuddin al ayoubi or the next Muhammad Fateh. And you played a part in that!
• "Just another retiree”? Carpool with other retirees to go to the masjid 5 times a day! Let others in your neighbourhood spend their last moments cultivating in themselves love for the masjid – perhaps you may guide 1 or 2 to be amongst those who will be granted the shade of Allah, on the Day that there is no Shade except His shade. How awesome is that ?!

Yes, you can change the world. If you play your part.

Of course, this doesn’t mean we should stick to unambitious stuff and be content with the status quo. Yes, aim for the stars and keep going higher and keep going forward, but if you don’t physically get there (yet), at least be motivated by the very fact that you are making a difference where you are standing! 

We’re all a piece of a puzzle. Make it a beautiful piece: Live our lives with Ihsan.

The question is: what picture do we want to be a part of?

What legacy – foot prints – are we planning to leave behind when we leave this dunya? And what role do we see we fit in those footprints?

May Allah grant us barakah in all our efforts, the steadfastness to continue doing good for His Sake Alone, and to always have the correct intention in performing acts of good for the “greater good”.

And Allah knows best.

Story of Amr ibn Salamah

An awesome, enlightening, and cute narration by companion Amr ibn Salamah.

From here we learn that:
- most quraysh were 'bystanders', waiting on the sidelines until the Prophet was victorious, only then made the choice to follow him. Don't be a sideliner.
- when hearing good advice (i.e. Quran), listen to it & remember it, even if you don't know how to use it yet - it will come in handy later!
- the righteous companions found no issue in a six year old being their imam. today six year old's not even allowed in first saff. instead they get a special VIP grand stand marked as "saf kanak-kanak bermula di sini". So they group up behind and make noise instead of keeping quiet with the daddies and uncles. Someone lost the plot.
- the little boy was the happiest boy in the world for getting a new shirt! How thankless are we for all the abundant blessings we have Allahul musta'an

Narrated 'Amr bin Salamah (radhiAllahu 'anhu) :
We were at a place which was a thoroughfare for the people, and the caravans (of people teaching and spreading da'wah of Islam) used to pass by us; and we would ask them, "What is wrong with the people? What is wrong with the people? Who is that man?".

They would say, "That man claims that Allah has sent him (as a Messenger), that he has been divinely inspired, that Allah has revealed to him such-and-such (and they would recite Qur'an)"

I used to memorize that (Divine) Talk (i.e. portions of the Qur'an), and feel as if it was inculcated in my chest (i.e. mind)

And the 'Arabs (other than Quraish) delayed their conversion to Islam till the conquest (of Mecca). They used to say." "Leave him (i.e. Muhammad) and his people Quraish: if he overpowers them then he is a true Prophet."
So, when Mecca was conquered (in the 8th year After Hijrah), then every tribe rushed to embrace Islam, and my father hurried to embrace Islam before (the other members of) my tribe.

When my father returned (from the Prophet) to his tribe, he said, "By Allah, I have come to you from the Prophet for sure!" The Prophet afterwards said to them, 'Offer such-and-such prayer at such-and-such time, and when the time for the prayer becomes due, then one of you should pronounce the Adhan (for the prayer), and let the one amongst you who knows Qur'an most should, lead the prayer."

So they looked for such a person and found none who knew more Qur'an than I because of the Quranic material which I used to learn from the caravans.

They therefore made me their Imam ((to lead the prayer) and at that time I was a boy of six or seven years, wearing a Burda (i.e. a black square garment) proved to be very short for me (and my body became partly naked).

A lady from the tribe said, "Won't you cover the anus of your reciter for us?" So they bought (a piece of cloth) and made a shirt for me. I had never been so happy with anything before, as I was with that shirt! 

(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book #59, Hadith #595)

Reflections of Gaza and Syria today: the Day of Judgment

It makes one look forward to the Day of Judgment.. The Absolute Justice of Allah will be so great on the Day of Judgment that He will even allow a sheep to get its revenge.

The Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "On the Day of Judgment, the rights will be paid to those to whom they are due so much so, that a hornless sheep will be retaliated for by punishing the horned sheep which broke its horns"
(Sahih Muslim, Book #032, Hadith #6252)

A sheep! SubhanAllah - What more those innocent women, children, old men and women, our brothers and sisters who have their honour, blood and wealth ruthlessly usurped and oppressed?

What about the soul of a believer? Of whom his/her blood is more sacred than the city of Makkah itself? More sacred than the day of Eid al-Adha and the month of Hajj?

"Verily! Your blood, property and honor are sacred to one another (i.e. Muslims) like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours and in this city of yours." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book #3 Hadith #67)

Images of Gaza & Syria today make us look forward to how Allah will defend the honour of His believers, and how He will exact His Retribution against the tyrants and oppressors.

But taking a step back, la hawla wala quwata illa billah - how quickly do we wish to hasten the judgment upon others!
They will be judged, but so shall we. How ready are WE to read our own book of deeds? When all our deeds, even done in secret, big or small - will be scribed in detail?

So don't wish to hasten it: it's going to come. They'll get what they deserve, and so shall you.
Prepare for it, invest in it - cash it out when the time comes.

“Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages (i.e. deeds) in full.
And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he is indeed successful.
The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception”
(Surah Al-Imran 3:185)

Awal Muharram & "Doa Awal/Akhir Tahun" : What's the big deal?

As someone commented, “we keep arguing about this every year when out there, so many wajib (obligations) out there are not being done!”

Well, if so many wajib not being done, then why not encourage the wajib? Why then, encourage something which isn't just obligatory or recommended (mustahab/sunnah), but in fact, completely outside the sources of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Interesting how the argument refutes itself.

As difficult as I found it was to resist the urge to refute this comment directly, I finally realized one fundamental issue – we were looking at the issue from 2 completely different paradigms. And if I were to refute it, it would be endless, because we aren’t be speaking the same language.

This issue is often debated on a academic level and left at that. I view it on a different spectacle: This isn't an issue of difference of opinion in fiqh; rather, it's an issue of values, integrity, love and respect - towards Allah and His Messenger, and the Deen of Islam as a whole.

So, bismillah, here’s my paradigm: my perspective, from what I understand of the Quran and the Sunnah. I ask that Allah grant barakah and truthfulness in these words, and correct me where I may be wrong.

Reminder to self, just in case i transgress any limits by mistake : the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

“Whomsoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak what is good or just keep quiet!” (narrated in Al-Bukhari, book 73, hadith 47)

Summary:
1. The facts: "Muharram" as the New Year @ Hijrah Calendar

2. "Celebrating" New Year?

3. Living with Ihsan?

4. So What’s the Big Deal? So many Other Big Issues out there!

5. Blind (folded) Leading the Blind

1. The facts: "Muharram" as the New Year @ Hijrah Calendar

1. Hijrah of the Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasalam) never took place in Muharram (1st Month of Hijri calendar).
The Prophet left his house in departure of the Hijrah on 27th of Safar (2nd Month), 14th year of Prophethood
He arrived at Quba, the outskirts of Yathrib/Madinah on Monday, 8th Rabi'ul Awwal (3rd mth), 14 year of Prophethood.

2. The lunar cycled-based month circulation of the Hijri calendar (Muharram, Safar, Rabi'ul awwal, etc) was already in use before the coming of message of Islam.
However there was no 'demarcation' to indicate the 'start' or 'end'.
Thus when Umar ibn Al-Khattab was khalifah, a decision was taken to set Muharram as the first month of the year.

Next move was to decide which year to set as "zero" as reference point. After considering several suggestions (e.g. birth of the prophet, death of the prophet) they agreed to use Hijrah as the reference point, as this marked a major change in the development of the history of Islam and its establishment in Yathrib (Madinah Rasulillah - City of the Messenger of Allah)

Thus, for dating purposes, it was set that the year of the Hijrah will be the reference point for the beginning of the numbering. This is considered as a consensus of the Muslim Ummah (ijma’) as no other caliph after that had reversed this ruling.

(ref - Bidayah wan-nihayah; sealed nectar)

http://islamqa.com/en/ref/176819/

2. "Celebrating" New Year?
But : when he issued this judgment, did Umar ibn Al-Khattab issue specific rulings to go and celebrate this day? Did he tell people to go down the streets parading and singing songs?

It’s a rhetorical question. Were Umar to see people doing that, he’d beat them with his stick, I’d imagine.. Knowing Umar’s tough personality, especially in preserving the sunnah

So if ‘new year’ never came about during the time of the Prophet, what are the origins of this ‘new year prayer’/’year-end prayer’ ("doa awal tahun" & "Doa akhir tahun")? How about that people have even invented fadhail (special benefits) attached to those who make this prayer: that supposedly all the person’s sins of the past year will be forgiven?

Even if Umar legislated this ‘special prayer’, we have to ask ourselves a fundamental question: would we, as Muslims, allow him to legislate something new in the shari’ah? After the religion has been perfected as per Allah’s revelation in the Quran – “Today, I have perfected my religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (Surah Al-Maidah 5:3)?

But anyway, no, Umar didn’t legislate this.

So if the Prophet didn’t, Umar didn’t, and none of the companions of the Prophet ever did, then who on Earth did?

Someone who is more knowledgeable in the sunnah than the companions of the Prophet?

Yet people are promoting these "Doa Awal Tahun" and "Doa Akhir Tahun" left right and centre, when in fact this Doa has no basis in the sunnah of the Prophet.
And people are quick to defend it saying "but it's a good thing!"

The sad thing is hardly anyone promotes the du'aa which is authentically taught by the Prophet - for example the morning and evening du'aa/dzikr; du’aa of leaving/entering the home, dzikir after the prayers.

Are we treating the teachings of the Prophet with the level of respect that we should? Are we living our lives as Muslims who want to achieve Ihsan – beauty, excellence, perfection in worship?

3. Living with Ihsan?

Angel Jibreel came to the Prophet and said, “What is Ihsan?”

The Prophet said, “that you worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot, (at least know that) He sees you” (Narrated in Al-Bukhari, Book#2 Hadith #47)

Now the Prophet didn’t give a textbook definition of Ihsan, instead he gave the practical application how it is to be performing worship with Ihsan: with excellence, beauty and perfection.

So ask yourself this question: What if the Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasalam) were to be amongst us today and watching us right here, right now – performing these parades and making this year-end and new-year doa?

Do we tell him "O Messenger of Allah, wAllahi i REALLY love you and i love your teachings, but i don't have time to read or learn the du'aa that you taught - sorry la eh. But there's this very nice du'aa taught by my shaykh, it's a good thing, so i hope you don't mind me trying to spread to everyone for them to memorize and recite. It’s good whaaat.”

Isn't this some form of mockery? Why don’t people find this level of disrespect to be appalling?

This isn’t how I will treat my teacher, most certainly not my own parents – but as Muslims, we love the Prophet even more than our own parents..

The Prophet said, “None of you will have Faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book #2, Hadith #14)

We claim that we love Allah, and believe in the Verse "Say (O Muhammad): if you love Allah, then follow me!" (Surah Al-Imran 3:31)
And yet we discard his teachings and prefer du'aas which are taught by "mashaykh"?

So let’s put things into perspective: at the very worst, it’s a bidaah (misguided innovation). At the very least, it’s disrespect towards revelation and teachings of the Prophet.

I don’t consider this level of disrespect tolerable even to a colleague at work: let alone someone I love more than my own parents.

Perhaps, if the Prophet were here, we dare not say such a thing.

Getting back to the concept of Ihsan of our worship towards Allah – knowing that He sees us. But the problem is, we’re not even fulfilling our Ihsan with regards to the Prophet on the scenario that “what if he were among us”. 

If we can’t even fulfill this, how about when it comes to Ihsan of the Lord of the Universe: Allah?

4. So What's the Big Deal? So Many Other Big Issues Out There!
And herein lies the argument and excuse of everyone who argues against anything from the sunnah: whether it be eating with the right hand, keeping the beard, trousers above the ankle, drink while sitting, etc – “why are you placing so much emphasis and over exaggerating a minor issue? There are so much more big problems in this world – go solve those first!”

First of all, as we previously discussed the issue of Ihsan, I don’t consider that a minor issue. We accept that life is a one-shot-only test to determine if we go to Paradise or Hellfire: and yet here by our attitude towards the teachings of Islam, we just proved, by our actions, that we're not really trying 'that hard' to score the test of life with excellence and perfection (Ihsan). 

Should bloody well be a cause for concern, if you ask me.

Secondly, why are we having such an attitude towards the sunnah? When people advise us directly with the sunnah why can’t we just accept it out of our deep love for the Prophet? Or at least respectfully be thankful to the one who advised us instead of lashing at them saying they are over exaggerating a minor issue? And who are we to call the sunnah minor?

If your mom told you to buy something for her, would you ditch her and say “it’s okay mom, it’s only minor right?” “not obligatory right? Only sunnah right?”

Thirdly, yes, we acknowledge that the world has lots of problems now, and “people” are guilty of so many crimes. Well,
you can't change the world, but you can change yourself. And if you refuse to do this by accepting simple advice, then why are you expecting the world to? Why are you highlighting the problems without acting on the solution on a personal level?

So let's stop worrying about what's "out there", start fixing what's "in here".Enough pointing at direction at the world’s problems: look inside and fix the most important person in our life first: ourselves. 

You will not be questioned for what “they” did, you will be questioned for what YOU did. And by this response, you just looked down upon one aspect of the religion (i.e. the sunnah), discouraged your brother for giving advice, and possibly offended him in the process.

 Ponder this verse of Allah: 
“Verily! Allah will not change the state of a people until they change what is in themselves” (Surah Ar-Rum 13:11)

Because if “they” all changed what is in themselves, we wouldn’t be in the situation we are today.

5. Blind (-folded) leading the Blind : a Question of Integrity
In the big picture, it’s not so much that the masses of commonfolk are performing this act of celebrating maal hijrah. Most of them are sincere and honest people who just want to wish other people well, and do some good deeds of du'aa and gatherings – after all it’s only once a year. And in fact the meanings behind the prayer itself are good. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s not from the sunnah.

The real root cause of this disease is this : the scholars of this ummah – the ustazs and ustazah – are leading the charge in teaching people things outside of the realm of revelation. It’s strange why so many Ustazs criticize the priests and pastors for legislating things which are completely outside of the teachings of Jesus and the Bible, yet they themselves promote prayers and acts which are not from the Quran or Sunnah of the Prophet.

And fundamentally, if the learned of this ummah – people who have studied and learned the religion – do not turn to the Qur’an and Sunnah as the first reference, and everybody follows them, then where is this nation headed?

Which begs the question: are they blind, or are they blindfolding themselves?

And this hadith just put things into perspective and sends chills down my spine:

The Prophet said,

“Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people but He takes away knowledge by taking away (i.e. the death of) the scholars,

so that when He leaves no learned person, people turn to the ignorant as their, leaders; then they are asked to deliver religious verdicts and they deliver them without knowledge, they go astray, and lead others astray.” 

(Sahih Muslim, Book #034, Hadith #6462)

So why the big hoo-hah? Think in the big picture:
This is an issue of integrity. When we allow our personal values of religion to be eroded, compromised and 'bent' - and innovations to enter in as long as 'we feel it is a good thing'. But once we go down that path, then what's our limit? This is the very same door that the people went down when they, out of their selfish desires, tried to justify that "hijab is not from Islam".

If we deprive ourselves of the integrity to guard our personal values, then what is left of morality? 

What will be the eventuality of drugs, rape theft, and murder - when the values that dictate these immorality of these acts are slowly fading away? Eventually perhaps even these crimes will be looked at as something acceptable.

Is this the path that we want to follow?

If even the learned of this ummah don’t take a firm stand and conviction of defending the pristine truth of the religion, then who will?

If the ustaz and ustazah aren’t excited and super enthusiastic about teaching the pure authentic teachings of the Prophet – when who will?

If the ustaz and ustazah don’t take up the mantle to defend the honour of the Prophet from this disrespect, then who will?

So take ownership of your deen: practice it with integrity and guard your values.

And Allah knows best...

I am angry, but this anger is none other than anger which stems out of my love for the Prophet Muhammad sallAllahu alayhi wasalam and his teachings.

May Allah keep us on the correct path of guidance, and with the steadfastness to preserve and enthusiastically act upon the Qur'an and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallAllahu alayhi wasalam)

Allah knows best, and may He correct any mistakes and i ask forgiveness from Him if i have transgressed any boundaries or limits.

People argue about this every year, so what difference does this year make?

This difference is, this time, I chose to say something about it.  

And that makes a difference to me, and "ME" is the person that I am accountable for when I meet Allah on the Day of Judgment. 

May Allah guide all our affairs, barakAllah feekum.

Hajj : A Capitalist Endeavour?

This entry is written as a self-reminder, in a response to the article appearing on Harakah Daily - "What meaning has Hajj in the age of capitalism?" (http://en.harakahdaily.net/index.php/articles/reflection/6112-what-meaning-has-hajj-in-the-age-of-capitalism.html)



The author makes some valid points on consumerism and capitalist mindsets that have ruined the spirit of hajj.

However in doing so, he disturbingly went to extremes & thus violated these commandments of Allah:

"O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them;
nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames.
Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith.
And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin.
And do not spy or backbite each other.
Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it!
And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful."

(Quran surah Al-Hujarat 49:verse 11-12)

The author's obvious grudge and condemnation against the custodians of the Masjid Haramain (i.e. Saudi government) have transgressed Allah's commandments of having good thoughts of others, not ridiculing others, not calling others names, not backbiting, and fundamentally, forgetting that: these are still our brothers and sisters.

The Prophet sallAllahu alayhi wasalam said, "whomsoever believes in Allah and the last day, let him speak what is good or be silent!" (narrated in Al-Bukhari, book 73, hadith 47)

While we can spend hours brainstorming the negative points of the saudi government, there are many great improvements being done for the betterment of the pilgrims, walhamdulillah. And if we can't offer a practical solution, we shouldn't be part of the problem with criticism.

It's easy to sit on the sidelines and shoot them, but to host millions of people every year (including that of umrah) is no easy task. Just to put into perspective, London Olympics had no more than 400,000 people at any given time & place: and the event cost about 11 billion pounds in total. Makkah deals with 10 times that amount of people, one spot at the same time, every year. May Allah reward all of those who made facilitated it for all the hujjaj.

There is a payment to be made individually, we need to take it positively that in the big picture, our money is 'contributing' towards the betterment of the ummah as a whole, and we can take collective ownership of being part of this family.

What 'they' do with their oil money is their business and their accountability with Allah: we will not be questioned for their wealth, rather we individually on our own wealth. I would think that a believer would be happy and proud if his/her book of deeds on the Day of Judgment show that his/her money went into contributing for improving hajj facilities.

But at the end of the day, hajj is, and will always be, individual obligations for those yg 'mampu' & can afford it.
And for those, the promise of Jannah and sins forgiven is there. Let's work towards that, and improve the situation where we are capable to do so.

Regarding the issue of business, Allah has given explicit approval of the permissibility of business during Hajj,
"There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage by trading)” (Al-Baqarah : 198)

Makkah has always been a centre of trade since before the coming of Islam; and the Prophet didn't change this. Luxurious and expensive items existed back then, too - but there is nothing of the Qur'an or Sunnah that prohibited this.
It's our individual reponsibility to control our worldly desires and shopping habbits - in the big picture = no supply, no demand.
If 5-star hotels are affordable to us & make us comfortable enough to perform better acts of worship, then 5-star hotels is more than just Mubah (permissible) - it might even be recommended.
But if you can settle for something less, and would rather save up the money in donation and charity, there is definitely reward in that too!





I recall during the time of the Caliphate of Uthman, that people used to accuse him of spending a lot of wealth for his family (out of his love for them), whereas Umar, the previous Caliph was very strict towards his family and didn't allow them to live in luxury: so they wouldn't become spoilt with the "family of the caliph" status.

Uthman's reaction to that criticism was - and wAllahi this should be written in gold - was:
"Umar did that, seeking the pleasure of Allah
And I do this, seeking the pleasure of Allah"

SubhanAllah what great wisdom - Alhamdulillah, Allah has made it easy to worship Him by our individual capabilities and strengths.

We should be very careful in judging others and not allow our cynicism to cloud our judgment against others, and more importantly, make us forget about our own individual obligations, especially good character and akhlaq.

The Prophet said "Verily i have only been sent to perfect good character/manners" (narrated in Muawata imam Malik)

Of course, at the end of the day, I for one would be very cautious about taking from a 22-year old who considers our fifth pillar in Islam "as anything more than a ritual which is merely physical", "without any connection to the realm of spirituality or to a deeper understanding of self and existence." - for a deed which the Prophet said has a reward "none other than Paradise"

..And Allah knows best. 

May Allah grant us the understanding & steadfastness to continuously become better individuals for dunya and akhirah..

My Epic Hajj 2012 Journey

Alhamdulillah - all praise and thanks to Allah - after long series of challenges, obstacles, difficulties, our Hajj 2012 expedition is concluded: No go this year.

First it was flight ticket confirmed, landing clearance confirmed, but no visa. Then we had a visa, but no ticket (burned). Then we had a visa, and a ticket - but no clearance to land. Then we had visa and clearance to land - but no ticket. Wow.


It was an intense emotional rollercoaster, with long series of struggles between visas, flight tickets, and permission for entry; with every point us being so close yet so far..
..but in the end, with a heavy heart, a surge of emotions swells up as we finally accept this fate  : it just wasn't our turn. No hajj. Yet.

As the Prophet had taught, this is the qaddar of Allah, and as believers we say, QaddarAllahu wa masha a fa'al ("Allah did that what He had ordained to do”)

Ala kulli hal, Allah has a better plan for us.
"Perhaps you may hate something that is good for you - and perhaps you may love something but it is bad for you. Allah knows but you know not.." (Al-Qur'an surah Al-Baqarah 2:216)

There is wisdom in everything that is ordained by Allah, but as I look back at the experience that the whole hajj group has went through for the past few days, thinking back, the wisdoms behind these very anxious and nerve-wrecking events were immediately made very apparent..

1) The reward of Hajj written for us & secured - insha Allah!

First of all, as our beloved shaykh Hussain Yee pointed out to us many times, since we have exerted all of our effort, with firm conviction of intention and sincerity to perform Hajj, as far as Allah is concerned, He has written for us the deeds of Hajj - on the basis of our intention. And subhanAllah think about it: the reward of Hajj: even before the appointed days of Hajj!.

The Prophet said, 
"Allah ordered (the appointed angels over you) that the good and the bad deeds be written, and He then showed (the way) how (to write). If somebody intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write for him a full good deed (in his account with Him); 

and if he intends to do a good deed and actually did it, then Allah will write for him (in his account) with Him (its reward equal) from ten to seven hundred times to many more times"  (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book #76, Hadith #498)

And when i look back at a hadith on the virtue of Hajj, the Prophet Muhammad sallAllahu alayhi wasalam said:

"the reward of hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except paradise."  (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book #27, Hadith #1).

He also said, "Whoever performs hajj to this House (Ka'ba) and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commits sins (while performing hajj), he will come out as sinless as a newly-born child. (Just delivered by his mother)."  (Sahih Al-Bukhari Book #28, Hadith #45)

And we are optimistic in our hopes that perhaps - Allah knows best the true intention and sincerity in our hearts - that, on the grounds of intention, sincerity and all-effort-possible, that May Allah reward us with hajj mabroor!

Now, one may criticize that how can you expect these rewards when you didn't even step foot in Makkah? Well, Allah only knows that perhaps if we did, we would or wouldn't have performed a Hajj that would qualify as an accepted Hajj (mabrur): only He didn't allow us the means to prove it yet. 

But out of His Divine Mercy, we do look at it back with confidence in His Mercy, His Bounties, and His Acknowledgement on the power of our intentions. And that is ever easy for Allah, Al-Ghany (All-Rich), Al-Wahhab (all-Bestower), Al-Hakeem (All-Wise) : He has absolutely nothing to lose by granting us with such great bounty!

In fact in a hadith qudsi, Allah said,

"O My servants, even if the first amongst you and the last amongst you and the whole human race of yours and that of jinns also all stand in one plain ground and you ask Me and I confer upon every person what he asks for, it would not. in any way, cause any loss to Me (even less) than that which is caused to the ocean by dipping the needle in it." (Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith #6246)

So that's how we take it : a super positive perspective that perhaps Allah rewards us with the reward of Hajj Mabrur !

In a hadith qudsi, the Prophet says that Allah says 'i am just as my slave thinks i am, (i.e. i am able to do for him what he thinks i can do for him)' (Sahih Al-Bukhari Book #93, Hadith #502)  

- and we are hopeful that Allah will reward us and not allow it to go to waste!

And to prove that this is possible, recall back the hadith of the man who had murdered 99 people. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book #56, Hadith #676) - for the man to perform repentance, he had to go to another village to change his ways. But he died halfway in the journey (in another narration, in fact slightly less than half way).

But Allah had accepted his repentance anyway, despite not even reaching the halfway point to his destination to repent!

It was Allah that caused this man to die - just like it was Allah that had Ordained these obstacles for us to perform Hajj this year.

So how is it that Allah accepts this from a man who murdered 99 people but not from us - despite all our physical, mental and spiritual effort?

So yes, we maintain positive on our expectations of Allah : even if we may not see the effects in this life - but we hope to see this stacked with our other good deeds: as a means of success in the akhirah!

(note: this is purely in terms of reward only... of course this does not absolve us first-timers off the obligation to perform hajj - we still have to go. But at least we get this consolation.

And hey, if (insha Allah and we REALLY beg Allah that) we do get to perform Hajj next year, that means we got this year's effort as bonus hajj reward - Allahu Akbar!)

2) Becoming a Better Muslim: holistically
Some of the maqasid (goals and purposes) of Hajj is about undergoing a spiritual journey towards becoming better individuals, strengthen bonds of brotherhood/sisterhood, and in the big picture, improve our taqwa and relationship with Allah.

And personally, the experience this past few days for me did just that. To actually perform the Fiqh rites of hajj is one thing, but to be put to the test to reap the fruits of our faith in tawakkal (trust in Allah), Sabar (patience), Shukr (thankfulness) - and be surrounded by super dedicated, cooperative and positive brothers and sisters: that's an unforgettable experience I'm grateful to Allah for.


This made me really reflect on the rhetorical question Allah asks in surah al Ankabut, verse 2 - "do the people think that they will (just) say 'we believe' and they will not be tested and tried (in their claim)?"

So I thought, since this is the case, why not just use these grounds to become even better Muslims - we've built the sabr, the tawakkal, the shukr, made lots of prayers and du'aa to Allah : let's build it up even more from there! This is a means that Allah builds our character - continue the momentum!

We take this as finish this off on a high and positive note with continuous improvement is insha Allah a sign of acceptance from Allah.


3) More time - a second chance to prepare
But interestingly, when i look back at my current state now, i realize that: I'm not ready. Yes, i've paid, i've made the logistics arrangement, i've read the fiqh, i've completed my shopping list, my things-to-bring list fully ticked, but there was something severely lacking - my spiritual readiness. I realized how ill-equipped i was in terms of my iman (faith), and there was so much more i could have done to be better prepared. (Insha Alllah in future blog post)

And after all those difficulties and challenges faced amongst the jemaah (group), it really made clear some amongst our jemaah who were truly gems of companions to be had on this great journey. So next time around, we'll have built that brotherhood / sisterhood upfront - thus making our journey easier and with much greater confidence we're in good hands, insha Allah.


And as our companion in the jemaah brilliantly pointed out, when we finally get to do it, rest assured we will appreciate the sweetness of the ibadah after going through this efforts and long wait. Perhaps this is also a sign that Allah wants us to yearn even more to go to Hajj - to build even better dedication for our hajj.



And as the dust settles...

But phew, has it been an anxiety filled, thrilling, and stressful few days. 

Ustaz Ismail Davids describes Hajj as "Journey of a Lifetime" and that's exactly what this past few days felt like - without even stepping foot in Makkah.

But Alhamdulillah ala kulli hal, we put our trust in Allah that He only determines what is BEST for all of us : we have to remember that the whole world doesn't just revolve around us. There are other pilgrims, other mu'assassah staff, other logistics arrangements, other unseen challenges, perhaps next year's improved facilities? - there is a greater good to come out of why we did not go. 


We ask - no , we beg - that Allah reward all of the jemaah with the reward of Hajj mabrur for their intentions, effort, dedication & sincerity.


We put our utmost trust and belief in the eternal promise of Allah when He says (the meaning of which is):
"Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds." (Quran, Surah Al-Kahf 18:30).

Then now, we move on to our next unstoppable Life Goal :


Hajj 2013 (1434 AH), here we come - labbaikAllahumma labbaik!